The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member allegedly killed by soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force in Dei-Dei, Abuja, has disputed the Nigerian Army’s account of the incident, insisting that their son was shot at close range inside a residential building and not caught in a crossfire as claimed.
The Guards Brigade headquarters had earlier stated that Jamiu died during a “brief but intense exchange of gunfire” between troops and suspected armed robbers who were fleeing after a distress call from residents of Shagari Estate.
The military said the corps member was “caught in the crossfire” during the operation on April 25 and later succumbed to his injuries at Kubwa General Hospital.
But in a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the family rejected the explanation, describing it as inaccurate and unsupported by physical evidence.
According to the family, Jamiu was killed around 2am when military personnel entered the estate. They alleged that soldiers scaled the perimeter fence and fired directly into his room through a closed door.
“Nigerian military personnel discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Abdulsamad’s room. The shot struck him in the head, killing him instantly,” the statement said.
The family argued that forensic indications, including the trajectory of the bullet hole running from the door toward the interior wall, contradict the claim of a crossfire. “The trajectory establishes that the shot was fired from outside the room,” they said.
They further questioned the military’s narrative of an armed confrontation, insisting that no armed suspects were seen or identified during or after the incident.
“No weapon was recovered from the scene. No shell casings from any non-military source were documented,” the family added.
The statement also alleged that no robbery incident had been reported in the area that night, raising further doubts about the justification for the military operation.
According to the family, Jamiu’s sister was present in the house during the incident and rushed downstairs after hearing the gunshot, where she was allegedly instructed by soldiers to “calm down.”
Neighbours reportedly alerted a local vigilance group after hearing the shot, but upon arrival, members were allegedly told by soldiers to “mop up the blood and flush it,” a claim the family says raises serious concerns about evidence preservation.
The family also stated that the gate to the property was not damaged and that entry was gained through the fence, where remnants of barbed wire were reportedly found bent and broken.
Jamiu’s body was later taken to hospital by police officers, while his family said they were subjected to several hours of questioning and administrative procedures before being allowed to retrieve the remains for burial.
In a further allegation, the family claimed that some of the soldiers admitted the shooting was a mistake in the presence of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), an account they said was documented in writing.
They are now demanding an independent and transparent investigation outside military control, the identification and prosecution of those responsible, and a formal retraction of the army’s initial statement. The family also called for a public apology from the military.